This article is from page 60 of the 2011-03-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 60 JPG
Avenue United 1 – Lifford 0 at Cassidy Park, Ennis
AVENUE United’s chances of retaining their Premier League title remain faint but alive after a narrow derby victory over Lifford on Thursday.
David Russell’s 67th minute goal settled a game of few chances and keeps the title race alive for another few weeks at least.
Avenue have six games in hand over first place Newmarket who sit 14 points clear at the top of the table.
The reigning league and Clare cup champions will have to embark on a major winning streak if they are to steer the trophy away from Newmarket’s hands.
Given Avenue’s record of success and the talent and experience within their squad, such a prospect is by no means beyond the bounds of possibility.
It looked for a long time on St Patrick’s Day that Avenue would have to settle for a point after being frustrated in their efforts by a resilient and well-organised Lifford side.
Lifford had defended very well until a momentary lapse in concentration proved fatal.
Mattie Nugent picked out the unmarked David Smyth on space at the edge of Lifford’s 18-yard box.
Smyth turned the ball wide to a similarly unmarked Russell. On his return from injury, the second half substitute produced a thumping finish that gave Lifford goalkeeper Jean Silva no chance.
Lifford went looking for an equaliser but despite the trickery of Ryan Boyle and Clare youths player Ruairi Norrby on the flanks, they failed to breach Avenue’s sound defence.
Substitute Roberto did come close with a close range header while David Herlihy missed a glorious chance to further enhance Avenue’s lead in the closing moments.
The result leaves Lifford looking nervously over their shoulders towards the lower end of the table. Yet while they could get sucked into a relegation battle, Lifford, with Limerick FC coach and former Bunratty manager Donal Magee now on board, appear a far stronger unit than the one taken to the brink in last year’s pulsating play-off with Mountshannon Celtic.
Chances were few and far between with Avenue’s best moments in the first half largely restricted to a couple of long range efforts from David McCarthy.
The visitors enjoyed more possession after the break but couldn’t break down a Lifford defence well marshalled by Hamed Kuku.
Barry Nugent went close with a header in the 61st minute before Rus- sell secured the all important match winner.
Lifford
Jean Silva, Joe Lynch, Connor Donnellan, Michael Joe Sullivan, Hamed Kuku, Gary Browne,TJ Ajisomo, Gary McNaboe, Pat Nagle, Ruairi Norrby, Ryan Boyle
Subs
Kieran Neenan for Nagle, Roberto for McNaboe
Avenue United
John Healy, Simon Cuddy, Richard Lillis, Mattie Nugent, Con Collins, Gary Flynn, Pa Wilson, David McCarthy, Barry Nugent, David Herlihy, David Smyth
Subs
David Russell for McCarthy, Richie O’Grady for Flynn, Eamon O’Reilly for Lillis
Referee
John Murray